Laying your own instant lawn

If you are embarking on your first DIY instant lawn installation project, you can expect to lay approximately 40m2/person/hour – so best to put some beers on ice, crank the barbie and invite your mates around to help!

NB. Instant Turf is a perishable product. It is critical you lay your turf as soon as it is delivered.

Laying tips

Ensure the prepared surface is firm enough to walk on whilst laying but not packed too tightly.

Make sure the soil is moist to avoid scolding the roots, especially during warmer months.

Apply fertiliser (as supplied) at a rate of 2kg/100m2.

Begin laying turf along the longest and straightest edge of the prepared site, using a brick laying technique. This simply means you should stagger the joins, which will help retain turf moisture.

If laying instant turf on steep gradients, you may have to peg it down to prevent it from moving until roots have initiated.

When you have finished laying all turf, you may wish to use a roller over the surface to ensure good soil-turf contact.

Water the turf immediately after laying and then two to three times a day, for at least the next fortnight. (Depending on the time of year and climate conditions of the immediate environment).

Keep traffic to a minimum during the first 6 weeks after laying the turf.

If you are laying Sir Walter DNA Certified, it is recommended that you top dress the turf with a clean garden sand to help aid soil moisture retention and to assist with initial root establishment.

Essential equipment you will need to lay your turf:

Spade.

Shears or sharp knife to cut turf in and around garden edges, sprinklers etc.

Rake (to smooth out any disturbance to soil whilst laying).

NB. If you would prefer assistance from a qualified landscaper to help install an automated irrigation system and to lay the turf for you, contact the Coolabah Turf Crew for a list of recommended professional contacts in your area.